# Government Responds to Shashi Tharoor in Parliament: Only 6 Percent of NET Candidates Qualify as Assistant Professors

> The Education Ministry informed Parliament that only 6 percent of NET candidates qualify for assistant professor roles, with 11,750 receiving the JRF annually. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized the response for failing to address the stagnation of the Rs 8,000 non-NET fellowship and the need to increase fellowship slots.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Education · **Published:** 2026-07-21 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/education/shashi-tharoor-ke-savalon-para-snsada-men-sarakara-ka-javaba-net-pariksha-dene-vale-kevala-6-pratishata-chhatra-hi-banate-hain-sah-9564 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** UGC NET, JRF, Shashi Tharoor, Education Ministry, PhD Fellowship, Parliament Session

The recent parliamentary session witnessed a detailed exchange regarding the qualification rates and fellowship opportunities for candidates appearing in the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET). Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar presented official data revealing that a remarkably small fraction of aspirants successfully qualify for teaching positions. According to the written reply submitted on Monday, a mere six percent of the total candidates who take the NET examination are deemed eligible for the role of assistant professor in universities across the country. This statistical revelation came to light following a series of written questions posed by Congress Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor, who sought comprehensive details regarding the examination's success rates and the government's future plans for academic fellowships.

## Questions Posed by the Congress Representative
Tharoor approached the parliamentary session with a multi-pronged inquiry focused on the welfare and financial support of research scholars. His primary request was for the government to release concrete statistics regarding the number of candidates who have successfully cleared the NET examination over the years. Beyond historical data, the Congress leader wanted to know if there were any active plans within the ministry to expand the total number of Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) currently being awarded. He further questioned whether the government was considering any modifications to the existing eligibility criteria that govern these academic grants. A significant portion of his inquiry highlighted the financial stagnation of the 'non-NET fellowship.' Tharoor specifically asked if the education ministry had taken cognizance of the fact that the monthly stipend for this particular fellowship has remained firmly frozen at Rs 8,000 since the year 2006, without any upward revision to account for inflation or the rising cost of living over the past several decades.

## Official Statement from the Ministry of Education
In his official capacity, Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar provided a structured response outlining the current framework of academic grants. He clarified the operational mechanics of the system, stating that the University Grants Commission relies on the NET examination as the primary basis for awarding the Junior Research Fellowship. Addressing the qualification statistics, Majumdar explicitly noted the low success rate. "Only 6 percent of the candidates appearing in the NET exam qualify for Associate Professor," the minister stated in his reply. From this already small pool of eligible candidates, the minister disclosed that the UGC selects exactly 11,750 individuals each year to receive the prestigious JRF award.

Expanding on the broader landscape of research funding, Majumdar explained that the UGC is not the sole provider of financial assistance for doctoral candidates. He pointed out that various other government ministries and independent institutes actively offer distinct fellowships designed to support scholars pursuing their PhD degrees. To ensure inclusive educational opportunities, the government has also established specialized fellowship programs catering to specific demographics. These targeted grants are made available to students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). Furthermore, dedicated financial support systems are in place to assist Divyang scholars as well as single girl children pursuing higher education.

Majumdar also detailed the avenues through which PhD scholars can secure funding by participating in research projects that are financially backed by various funding agencies and approved by their respective universities. Acknowledging that a segment of the student population enrolls in doctoral programs without securing any formal financial backing, the minister explained the purpose of the non-NET fellowship. The UGC implemented this specific initiative to serve as partial economic assistance, ensuring that students lacking other forms of aid receive at least a foundational level of support during their research endeavors.

## Backlash and Claims of Evasive Answers
The government's written reply did not sit well with the Congress MP, who publicly voiced his strong dissatisfaction with the provided information. Taking to the social media platform X on Tuesday, Tharoor criticized the ministry for failing to address his specific queries with direct and actionable answers. He pointed out that the official response was largely restricted to sharing generalized information about the pre-existing UGC fellowship structure, rather than providing the granular details he had requested. One of his main grievances was the complete absence of year-wise statistical data detailing the exact number of candidates who had passed the NET examination and those who had subsequently been awarded the JRF.

Tharoor further emphasized that the government completely sidestepped the critical issue of the widening gap between the growing number of eligible candidates and the severely limited pool of available fellowships. He noted that his questions regarding whether the ministry was actively considering an increase in the number of JRF slots or planning to amend the eligibility rules were met with silence. The issue of the stagnant Rs 8,000 non-NET fellowship remained a major sticking point for the parliamentarian. He expressed his frustration that the government offered no clear justification or future roadmap for increasing this financial aid, which has seen no growth since 2006. Highlighting his persistent efforts to resolve this financial bottleneck, Tharoor reminded the public that he had previously raised this exact issue during the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha back in 2023. Ultimately, he concluded that the government has yet to provide any definitive timeline or concrete assurance regarding future reforms or enhancements to the Junior Research Fellowship program.

## What this means for you
- **For Students Across India:** Aspirants preparing for the NET examination face intense competition, as official data confirms that only a 6 percent fraction qualifies for assistant professor roles.
- **For Research Scholars:** Students relying on partial government assistance will continue to face financial constraints, as there is no immediate plan to increase the stagnant Rs 8,000 non-NET fellowship.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What percentage of candidates qualify for assistant professor roles through the NET exam?
According to the Education Ministry, only 6 percent of the candidates who appear in the NET exam qualify for the assistant professor post.

### 2. How many students are awarded the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) annually?
The University Grants Commission (UGC) provides the Junior Research Fellowship to exactly 11,750 eligible candidates every year based on their NET exam performance.

### 3. Why did Shashi Tharoor express dissatisfaction with the government's reply?
Tharoor was dissatisfied because the government provided general information instead of requested year-wise statistics, and failed to clarify if the number of JRF slots or the Rs 8,000 non-NET fellowship amount would be increased.

### 4. When was the UGC non-NET fellowship amount last revised?
The non-NET fellowship amount has remained entirely unchanged at Rs 8,000 per month since the year 2006.

### 5. Are there special fellowships available for specific demographic groups?
Yes, the government offers special academic fellowships for scholars belonging to SC, ST, and OBC categories, as well as Divyang students and single girl children.

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